© Carrie Mae Weems
Currently not on view
White Patty You Don't Shine,
1987–88
Carrie Mae Weems, born 1953, Portland, OR; active New York, NY and San Francisco, CA
2001-146
More Context
Special Exhibition
<p>Weems pairs staged photography with language in ways that confront rather than consume stereotypes about black life. "White patty" is an African American slang term to describe a Caucasian girl. In <em>White Patty You Don’t Shine</em>, a young black girl wearing boxing gloves firmly challenges the gaze of the camera. She is armed to resist her societal or personal foe through the powers of poetry and physical might.</p>
Information
Title
White Patty You Don't Shine
Dates
1987–88
Maker
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
image: 47.6 x 39.4 cm (18 3/4 x 15 1/2 in.)
sheet: 63.6 x 53.5 cm (25 1/16 x 21 1/16 in.)
frame: 63.7 × 53.5 × 3.8 cm (25 1/16 × 21 1/16 × 1 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, gift of Robert J. Fisher, Class of 1976, and Mrs. Fisher
Object Number
2001-146
Place Made
North America, United States
Inscription
Printed on sheet below image: WHITE PATTY, / WHITE PATTY / YOU DON”T SHINE, / MEET YOU AROUND THE CORNER, / AND BEAT YOUR BEHIND.
Culture
Techniques
Subject
